Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial evaluation for plantar fasciitis prior to February 7, 2021 was denied. For the period from February 7, 2021 to June 14, 2021, a higher evaluation than 10 percent was not granted. However, beginning June 14, 2021, an evaluation of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee PFS, left knee PFS, right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs, and left foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder, headaches, and PTSD for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for left foot sole scar prior to December 1, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye disability due to VA surgery in November 2009 is also denied. Other issues related to service connection and effective dates are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability in June 1991. The Veteran is appealing this decision, but the Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the original decision.

The Veteran's tension headaches were granted a 50% rating effective May 13, 2019. The other conditions and disabilities were not found to warrant compensable ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation until his retirement in December 2018 due to health issues and 'life in general'.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and a bilateral foot disability (to include plantar fasciitis) based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at a 40 percent rating (but not higher) and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension from January 14, 2015. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for right foot and left foot disabilities as well as the issue regarding a compensable rating for bladder dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee, ankle, and pes planus disabilities due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a separate compensable rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to service connection for a plantar wart of the right foot. The remaining issues have been remanded due to need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, and requests that the Veteran provide any missing private treatment records related to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding the nature of his conditions. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. D.G., and a new examination is required to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for sleep disability, anxiety, pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are reopened. The appeals for these issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's pes planus is granted as service-connected due to aggravation during service. The left knee disability, right hamstring and right calf disabilities are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, left ankle disability (secondary to bilateral flat feet), and left knee disability (secondary to bilateral flat feet) due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disability and denied service connection. The issue of bilateral pes planus is remanded for further review.